Iowa State Fair 2024: Some favorites
A short visitor's guide to this month's Fair
The Iowa State Fair brings fun, fireworks and food to perhaps a million people every summer.
Are you ready? I am. In fact, I was there a day before it started to check out the Fairgrounds.
I’ll offer a few tips and treats for this year’s Fair:
It’s here, and a great experience. (Photo by John Naughton.)
Let’s start with a few of my “must sees.”
*Do watch some musical acts, whether you go to a Grandstand show or one of the free stages. The volume of music you’ll find at the Iowa State Fair is better than any other fair I’ve visited (and I’ve gone to 10 states).
*The menu is more diverse and delicious than ever before. Plan to try a few new things, some old favorites and things you may not be able to easily find elsewhere.
*The exhibits for agriculture, animals and arts are wonderful and shouldn’t be missed.
*People watching is simply irresistible. Enjoy the human circus going on around you.
I wore a purple suit on the first day of the Iowa State Fair. (Photo by John Naughton.)
The traditions of the Butter Cow and the livestock exhibits are joined by the famous Budweiser Clydesdales this year (they camp on the northwest side of the Fairgrounds). They’ve beautiful animals and worth a look.
The Butter Cow is a tradition at the John Deere Agriculture Building. (Photo by John Naughton.)
Let’s move onto food. What would the Iowa State Fair be without the feast?
Some of my personal favorites are the brick oven pizza at Parlo Pizza, Chuckie’s Tenderloin and Campbell’s corn dogs. (There are too many delicious items to list here.)
Parlo is an exceptional dining experience. Step up to the counter and minutes later, you’ll find cheese, meat and veggies piled atop a crisp crust. It’s one of the best pizzas in town.
I chose the spicy sausage, mushrooms and cheese combination. It was great and the crew working was kind and friendly. With four slices, it can be shared or eaten as a filling lunch or dinner.
Parlo Pizza is an Iowa State Fair delight. (Photo by John Naughton.)
While you eat your pizza, grab a refreshing drink at the new Bubbly Bar & Bistro and take in a terrific view of the city skyline.
Chuckie’s Tenderloin is an annual destination for me. The trailer on the southwest side of the Fairgrounds produces tenderloins efficiently on oh so deliciously. The tenderloins are served hot, flavorful and filling. Get the waffle fries added for a bargain price.
Campbell’s is my go-to corn dog. And there are a lot of locations across the Fairgrounds, so they’re easy to find. The batter is slightly sweet, they’re served warm and there’s plentiful mustard to top off your treat.
Say hello to Slick, one of the Budweiser Clydesdales. (Photo by John Naughton.)
I’ll add this. The Southwest part of the Fairgrounds is a culinary destination this year. The addition of Destination Grille to this Restaurant Row, with its lobster corn dog, and the Winn and Sara’s Kitchen stand (hello, cheeseburger egg roll) are welcomed to the area with Chuckie’s, Ollie’s Crab Fritters and Hagar’s Hoagies… decisions are difficult, but delicious.
Have a great Iowa State Fair… make sure to bring a water bottle, a jacket and look for the guy in the colorful suits.
Thanks for the ride along, John.